UFO Mail - No 064 - 2005

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: UFO-Mail nr. 64
Date: 19. december 2005
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information delves into a variety of intriguing topics, from the shadowy world of secret societies and cults to alleged UFO sightings and the cancellation of a military drone project. The magazine presents a critical look at extreme beliefs and their consequences, alongside detailed accounts of unexplained phenomena and investigations into potential hoaxes.

Review: 'Hemmelige selskaber' by Klaus Aarsleff

The lead article, "Knald i låget!?" (Madness!?), reviews Klaus Aarsleff's book, which explores 40 secret societies, cults, and doomsday groups. Aarsleff, former chairman of Eventyrernes Klub, is quoted in the foreword stating that when people replace reason with extreme faith, dire consequences can follow. The article highlights extreme examples such as Christian sects in the southeastern USA using venomous snakes in rituals, Charles Manson's cult responsible for brutal murders inspired by Hitler and the Beatles, and the Heaven's Gate cult's mass suicide linked to the Hale-Bopp comet. The review also touches upon groups like the Flat Earth Society, which persisted in its beliefs until 2001 despite NASA's evidence, and Scientology, founded on Ron Hubbard's theories of alien origins and ancient trauma.

The review notes that the line between cult insight and humbug is often blurred, with many sect leaders exposed as greedy deceivers, citing Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his purchase of 93 Rolls Royces. Aarsleff's book is presented as a potentially dark moral tale about deception or an entertaining catalog of the human mind's adaptability. The book is described as 176 pages, illustrated, bound, and priced at 69 DKK.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

Nekselø Hoverfly Debate

An article titled "Svirrefluer på spil på Nekselø?" (Hoverflies at play on Nekselø?) addresses a photograph published in a previous issue of UFO-mail. A reader, Anders Jensen, suggests that the dark streaks in the photo taken by Jørgen Christiansen on Nekselø in August 2004 are actually swarms of hoverflies. Jensen explains that during periods of southeasterly wind in the summer, millions of these flies gather on the northwest coast of Sjælland to avoid being blown out to sea, a phenomenon also observed with ladybugs. He notes that hoverflies are harmless but irritating.

SUFOI's photo consultant, Hans Bødker, compared the photographs taken by Christiansen and Jensen. Bødker observed that Christiansen's photo was taken at 1/200 sec. and Jensen's at 1/826 sec. He noted that Jensen's faster shutter speed should have frozen motion more effectively, which was visible in the hoverfly images. However, Bødker found it difficult to definitively compare the two images, stating that without prior knowledge, it's hard to identify the objects as hoverflies, and the differences between the photos made a direct comparison challenging.

An excerpt from Wikipedia defines hoverflies (Syrphidae) as 10-14 mm long insects active from April to September, with around 200 genera and 6000 species found worldwide, except in Antarctica. They are described as having six legs, yellow and gray coloration, numerous brown eyes, and slightly pinkish wings. Their flight involves wing movement and body adjustments, with periods of hovering and quick directional changes.

Århus UFO Hoax

Another section, "IFO-foto fra Århus" (UFO Photo from Århus), details a case where a submitted photograph of a peculiar object hanging low over rooftops in Århus, allegedly taken on December 3, 2005, was investigated. The photographer, a young man named Lars, was contacted for more details. Analysis of the photo's EXIF data raised suspicions, which Lars later confirmed. He admitted to using Adobe Photoshop to insert a UFO image found online into his own photograph of Århus rooftops. The magazine expresses a preference for genuine mysteries over fabricated ones, noting that while such hoaxes are rare, they do occur.

Lars explained that the UFO image was based on a "sportscar model" associated with Bob Lazar, an American figure known for controversial claims about UFOs. Lars detailed his process of cutting out the UFO, adding blur and noise to match the original photo, and using the "spong tool." He stated his intention was not to deceive but to see if he could create a convincing fake and to test the reaction of UFO enthusiasts. He also expressed hope that if he were to capture a real UFO with his new camera, it would be taken seriously.

Haslev UFO Observation

Under the heading "Læs seneste ufo-observationer" (Read latest UFO observations), a detailed account is given by a 43-year-old man from Haslev, Sjælland, who reported an observation on October 25, 2005. The witness, who describes himself as sober and psychologically sound (having worked as a prison guard at Denmark's only psychopathic institution), claims to have seen a triangular, equilateral black object with lights along its edges. The object was observed for only 2-3 seconds moving at high speed in a SSØ direction. He could not determine its altitude or exact speed but noted it was silent.

The witness speculated that the object should have broken the sound barrier given its speed, yet made no noise. He described unusual pendulating movements in a horizontal plane, comparing it to the internal gears of a clock. He believes the object was unmanned due to the extreme G-forces such movements would impose on a living being. He suggested the lights were integrated into the craft's propulsion system, pointing downwards, and that the pendulating motion indicated it was intentionally controlled.

Military News: 'Tårnfalken' Drone Project Cancelled

An article titled "Ingen Tårnfalken i luften" (No Kestrels in the Air) reports on the cancellation of the Danish military's 'Tårnfalken' (Kestrel) unmanned aerial vehicle project at the end of 2005. Defense Chief Jesper Helsø stated that the project failed to meet expectations and requirements. The Kestrel was a lightweight aircraft intended as an advanced surveillance system. Acquired in 2002, the project was immediately plagued by problems and incidents. The military purchased eight Kestrels and two for spare parts. Initially intended as a long-range reconnaissance drone capable of international operations, the system comprised two identical units, each with four aircraft, three ground stations, three antenna units, and one mobile launcher.

The French-produced aircraft weighs 115 kg and is equipped with sensors, a daylight camera, and an infrared camera transmitting live video to a ground station. With a length of 2.75 meters and a wingspan of 3.30 meters, it had a top speed of 200 km/t and an operational radius of 670 km. The Kestrel was expected to have flown approximately 400 hours by now, but had only accumulated 124 hours. A recent incident on February 3rd involved one of the aircraft making an emergency landing in Borris, leading to a flight ban.

Jesper Helsø expressed regret over the project's failure to meet its planned development, despite several adjustments made since 2002. The emergency landing in Borris was a clear indication that the problems were not resolved. Helsø emphasized the need for an alternative to the Kestrel for surveillance and intelligence gathering, particularly for international missions. He indicated that a report from an investigative group recommended phasing out the Kestrel. Based on this report, Helsø recommended the Defense Minister to discontinue the project promptly. The Defense Command is expected to propose alternative solutions for meeting these capabilities by the end of the year. The article provides a web address for further information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information demonstrates a commitment to critically examining claims related to UFOs, secret societies, and unusual phenomena. The magazine balances reporting on alleged sightings and intriguing books with a healthy dose of skepticism, actively investigating potential hoaxes and providing factual context, such as the scientific explanation for the Nekselø sightings. The cancellation of the Tårnfalken project highlights the magazine's coverage of military technology and its potential shortcomings. The editorial stance appears to favor evidence-based reporting and a discerning approach to extraordinary claims, while remaining open to genuine mysteries.

This issue of SOHO magazine, titled "SOHO fylder 10 år" (SOHO turns 10 years old), celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory. Launched on December 2, 1995, SOHO has captured approximately 10 million images and identified 1,000 comets. The magazine features several articles related to unusual aerial phenomena and astronomical observations.

UFO Sighting in Glejbjerg

The issue details a UFO sighting reported to SUFOI (Skandinavisk UFO Information) that occurred on November 18, 2005, in Glejbjerg By, Jylland, Denmark. The report comes from the parent of a 10-year-old boy who, while at an indoor birthday party, went outside and observed a strange object with another child. The object was described as a craft resembling something from a Star Wars film, green on the underside, and emitting a peculiar sound that the boy could not describe, having never heard anything similar. The craft moved back and forth as if searching for something, then ascended vertically into the sky and disappeared. The observer's parent believes the account due to the fact that two children witnessed it and there was no sensationalism surrounding the report. They ruled out conventional explanations like airplanes, helicopters, or remote-controlled UFOs, emphasizing that the children's imagination was not a factor as the situation was spontaneous and the children described it as not being anything special, nor were they scared.

Observation from Strib, Fyn

Another significant report comes from Strib, Fyn, dated December 12, 2005. The observer, who lives on a hill with a clear view of the Lillebælt strait, noticed a very bright object in the sky around 17:45 to 19:00. Initially mistaken for an unusually bright star, the object moved slowly to the right, too slowly to be an aircraft. Using a star telescope, the observer described it as a sphere or teardrop shape with a movement around it that resembled fire or flames. It illuminated a nearby cloud. Over approximately 45 minutes, the object moved slowly to the left and downwards towards the horizon, becoming redder. Through the telescope, it appeared white for most of the time but developed a bluish hue at the tip and a reddish tail. The observer's husband also saw the object. They checked TV news and DMI (Danish Meteorological Institute) for information on comets or similar phenomena but found none. The observer questioned if it could have been a satellite burning up in the atmosphere, noting it was larger than other stars and brighter than the moon, which was also visible. They are seeking information from others who might have witnessed the same phenomenon.

Lars Bakmann from Dansk Ildkuglecentral, a section of the Danish Astronomical Society, responded to the Strib observation. His best guess is that the observer saw Venus, which is very bright in the evening sky. He suggested that if it was Venus, it should be visible every evening. He also proposed contacting SUFOI for further investigation.

Venus as an Explanation

Subsequent articles and images in the magazine focus on Venus as a likely explanation for some of these sightings. A diagram shows the sky on December 12, 2005, with Venus low on the southwestern horizon. The magazine states that SUFOI is convinced that many such sightings are indeed Venus. They note that Venus is often observed in the southwestern sky during the evening, appearing very bright and radiant. The appearance of Venus can vary depending on atmospheric conditions.

Jimmy Carter and Venus

The magazine also revisits a previous report from March 22, 2004, concerning former US President Jimmy Carter. While waiting for a Lions Club event in Leary, Georgia, in 1973, Carter and a group of people observed a bright light in the western sky. The light appeared to move closer, fade, reappear, and then disappear over a 10-12 minute period. Carter described the light as larger than planets and up to the size of the Moon, with colors ranging from bluish to reddish. A written report from Carter to NICAP (National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena) estimated the distance at 300-1,000 meters. This phenomenon was later identified as the planet Venus.

Call for Submissions

The magazine concludes with a call for readers to forward the "ufo-mail" to friends and family, encouraging them to subscribe for free updates on Danish and international observations, photographs, and other UFO-related materials. This highlights the magazine's ongoing effort to collect and disseminate information on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO/UAP sightings, astronomical observations, and the identification of celestial bodies like Venus. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into unexplained phenomena, while also providing rational explanations, particularly the planet Venus, for many reported sightings. The magazine actively encourages reader participation by soliciting their own observations and photographs, positioning itself as a hub for UFO information in Denmark.